Burning and killing… such inhumane methods!

Back when Duke Zhenguo led the Bai family army, wherever they went they never burned, killed, or plundered, never massacred cities, and absolutely never killed surrendered prisoners. Their reputation for benevolence was praised throughout the four seas.

Bai Qingyan, as a descendant of the Bai family, was so far removed from Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting’s reputation for benevolence. Truly, the most venomous was a woman’s heart—he, Liu Rushi, disdained to associate with such a malicious person.

Seeing Liu Rushi’s attitude toward Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinzhi was greatly displeased and stared fixedly at Liu Rushi… If the Crown Prince hadn’t been here, she would have given that sour scholar a few lashes! What right did he have to be arrogant before her elder sister? Without his elder sister’s campaigns, where would he get the dignity of coming as an envoy of the victorious nation for peace negotiations?

The Crown Prince glanced sideways at Liu Rushi and raised an eyebrow, exchanged a look with Old Fang, then smiled at Bai Qingyan: “I’m sure General Bai is eager to read her family letter. We should quickly return to camp, rest briefly, and then meet with the Western Liang peace negotiation envoys!”

Bai Qingyan clasped her fists in acknowledgment.

Western Liang’s Prince Yan Li Zhijie had repeatedly requested that the Jin Crown Prince come to Qiushan Pass for a banquet, seemingly intending to have the Crown Prince meet Western Liang Princess Li Tianfu in advance, hoping to have Li Tianfu enter the Crown Prince’s residence.

After much deliberation, the Crown Prince decided to meet with Prince Yan of Western Liang and Princess of Western Liang at a location between Youhua Road and Qiushan Pass, which was why he had come to Youhua Road today.

Quan Yu helped the Crown Prince into his carriage, but the Crown Prince beckoned for Old Fang to join him in the carriage.

Bai Qingyan leaped onto her horse and led the procession at the front, protecting the Crown Prince’s party as they headed grandly toward Youhua Road.

Inside the carriage, the Crown Prince leaned against a round pillow and smiled at Old Fang: “Indeed, Old Fang’s suggestion has taken effect. Liu Rushi, who previously held the Bai family in the highest regard, certainly didn’t treat Bai Qingyan well today!”

“Naturally!” Old Fang smiled and nodded. “It’s still because Your Highness was decisive enough, and His Majesty is brilliantly wise, that we could spread Bai Qingyan’s reputation as the God of Slaughter across the four seas so quickly! Once the matter of Bai Qingyan burning and killing surrendered prisoners spreads, the Confucian scholars in court and the somewhat educated common people… will likely all have grievances against the Bai family. Even if Bai Qingyan puts on the appearance of retreating to Shouyang without coveting power, she probably can’t reverse the situation. The Bai family’s century-long reputation for benevolence may not be destroyed in Bai Qingyan’s hands, but it will certainly be far less than before.”

The Crown Prince was in excellent spirits and nodded: “Under such circumstances, if I still protect the Bai family… Bai Qingyan will naturally be utterly loyal to me! Thanks to Old Fang being by my side to constantly advise and strategize, I was able to reach where I am today!”

When Liu Rushi came, he brought the Crown Prince a secret letter from the Great Jin Emperor. In the letter, the Emperor praised him for being much more steady and capable since taking the Crown Prince position, hoping he could properly manage Bai Qingyan.

From childhood to adulthood, the Crown Prince had rarely received His Majesty’s praise. This time, holding His Majesty’s secret letter, he had read it repeatedly, countless times, his heart full of joy.

Hearing this, Old Fang’s eyes filled with tears. He trembled as he knelt in the carriage compartment, tearfully kowtowing: “This is all because Your Highness was willing to trust this old fool, giving me room to display my abilities! Your Highness… is this old fool’s benefactor!”

“Old Fang, please rise quickly!” The Crown Prince helped Old Fang up to sit. “Between you and me, there’s no need for such words!”

After being helped up and seated by the Crown Prince, Old Fang continued: “However, Your Highness, if we want to destroy the Bai family’s prestige among the people, we still need to greatly publicize among the people such deeds as Bai Qingyan burning and killing surrendered prisoners! Only then… will the people know what kind of vicious-hearted person Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting’s descendant is, and the Bai family’s future brilliance naturally won’t overshadow His Majesty and Your Highness, who are benevolent at heart!”

Seeing the Crown Prince pondering carefully, Old Fang added, “Moreover, this way, the Bai family members will certainly blame Bai Qingyan for staining the family reputation. The more famous Bai Qingyan becomes, the more her act of burning and killing surrendered prisoners will be criticized. When Bai Qingyan becomes the target of universal condemnation, yet Your Highness treats her intimately, then Bai Qingyan can only depend on Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince nodded: “Old Fang speaks reasonably. I’ll arrange this shortly!”

“There’s also the Bai family army…” Old Fang stroked his goatee and said slowly, “I think it’s best to leave the Bai family army at Youhua Road. After the peace talks with Western Liang end, have the Bai family army guard the territories Western Liang will cede! This way, with Bai Qingyan in Shouyang and the Bai family army far at the frontier, the threat the Bai family army and Bai Qingyan pose to His Majesty and Your Highness… will no longer be feared.”

When the Crown Prince arrived at the Jin army camp at Youhua Road, while inspecting the camp, he discussed with various generals who to bring when they went to the banquet at the location between Youhua Road and Qiushan Pass.

Shi Panshan answered without thinking and smiled: “Of course, General Bai should accompany Your Highness! With General Bai there, we can certainly intimidate those Western Liang peace negotiation envoys and secure more benefits for our Great Jin!”

The Crown Prince nodded and smiled at Bai Qingyan: “I just wonder if General Bai is willing to accompany me through this trouble?”

“If Your Highness commands, Bai Qingyan will certainly comply!” Bai Qingyan clasped her fists.

The Crown Prince became even more pleased and smiled: “Then General Bai should quickly return to your tent to wash and dress. Shortly, you’ll accompany me and Minister Liu to the banquet! General Zhang Duanrui and the others can handle the camp inspection!”

“Yes!” Bai Qingyan responded and left with Bai Jinzhi.

As soon as she entered the main tent, she took out the family letter Bai Jinxiu had sent and opened the envelope.

Even knowing the letter’s contents had probably already been seen by the Crown Prince, she was still eager to read it.

Bai Jinzhi moved close to Bai Qingyan’s side and asked: “What did Second Sister write?”

Bai Qingyan read through it quickly, her heart greatly settled…

She had feared that when the reputation of God of Slaughter spread back to the capital, mother and aunt would blame her upon learning of it. But throughout Bai Jinxiu’s letter, she wrote about the Bai family’s stable situation. The matter of Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion had ended, and Bai Jinxiu was already over two months pregnant, likely conceived on the wedding night. Bai Jinxiu said… this child had experienced life and death with her yet remained in her womb, so it must be resilient.

“Oh! Second Sister is with child!” Bai Jinzhi’s happy voice couldn’t help but rise. “Does that mean I’m going to be Fourth Aunt?!”

She turned her head to look at the jubilant Bai Jinzhi and nodded with a smile: “Yes, you’re going to be Fourth Aunt. When we return to the capital… You should think carefully about how to make little clothes and shoes for the child!”

“Elder Sister, are you perhaps making things difficult for me? Elder Sister, look at these hands of mine… do they look like they can thread needles?” Bai Jinzhi smiled and extended her hands, her eyes and brows full of joy. “However, I can teach my little nephew or niece to ride horses in the future! Learn the whip! I can teach all eighteen martial arts!”

She smiled and nodded.

How wonderful…

Bai Jinxiu was pregnant, and Xiao Qi was still alive! If Xiao Jiu could also be safe… that would truly be heaven’s blessing.

No matter what, everything was moving in a good direction. As for her reputation, she no longer cared.